“Sit on the bed, please.”
I gave him a look, and he just shrugged. “Your legs will fail you. I’ve seen it time and time again. Everyone downstairs will be alerted when you fall like a tree in the forest.”
I could imagine the way Prisca would laugh if she’d heard that.
And thinking about the little wildcat did nothing to improve my mood. I pushed her out of my head and nodded at the fae.
“Fine.”
I sat. He opened the vial and dipped his thumb into the crimson liquid. He painted runes on my face, runes that burned.
Then he began to chant.
I threw back my head as agony erupted throughout my body. Magic ignited, and I bit my fist, smothering the urge to roar. It felt as if my body were being burned alive. If I didn’t know this fae, didn’t know just how closely our goals aligned, I would have slit his throat.
I almost laughed at the thought. My vision had darkened, and I was likely too weak to stand. I wouldn’t be slitting anyone’s throat.
The taste of copper filled my mouth. Galon began a steady stream of curses. I smiled despite the pain. It wasn’t often that he reacted to anything these days.
The fae reached for the second vial and chanted some more. If I’d been able to take a full breath, I likely would have screamed—a fact that darkened my mood even further.
Finally, it was done. And I was left as weak as a newborn. Galon leaned over me, brow creased.
“He should rest,” the fae said.
I managed to turn my head, finding the fae swaying on his feet.
“Get him a room,” I ordered. My voice was hoarse, weak. The sound of it annoyed me.
“Thank you, but I should go.” He bowed his head. “May the gods be with you during your task.”
Tibris’s low laugh sounded, and I glanced up from where I’d been sitting in the corner while he talked with some of the other rebels. On my lap, a few pieces of parchment summed up my new life and background. Later today, Vicer would be testing both Tibris and me to ensure we could answer any question he threw at us without hesitation.
I didn’t have it in me to socialize right now. I was too busy staring into space, going over everything I’d learned during the past two days.
I missed the mercenaries. Which was ridiculous, because they’d probably already completed whatever nefarious task had brought them to the city, and now they’d be moving on to whatever came next for people with no allegiance to anything but coin.
That wasn’t fair. They had allegiance to one another too.
The truth was, I’d studied them enough that I was relatively sure they were planning something big. And there was none of the excitement or anticipation I would’ve expected if it was something that would make them wealthy beyond their wildest dreams. No, they’d mostly radiated a grim determination.
Vicer appeared, and the room went quiet. He just nodded his hello, strolling over to me and gesturing to Tibris.
“Come with me.”
He led us into an office off the common room and leaned against the large wooden desk.
“Your work papers are finished. A carriage will pick you up tomorrow afternoon,” Vicer said. “Pris, you’ll go by the name of Setella. It’s your job to map the castle as much as you can. I’ll help you with your plans, but I have to remind you again. We have never gotten anyone out.”
Tibris nodded grimly. “We know.”
I didn’t like the look Vicer gave my brother. As if he was already mourning his friend. I glowered at him, and he seemed to snap out of it, returning to business once more.
“Tibris, you’re going to be in the wine cellar. We had to work hard to ensure you’d be placed there, and it’s an excellent opportunity for us. We have an idea about where the entrance to the dungeon is, but you’ll need to confirm.”
I swallowed, my pulse tripping at the danger my brother would face. “And the guards?”
“The guards’ schedules haven’t changed at all over the last few years. We had one of our people befriend two of those guards last year before he had to flee to avoid a random check. According to him, the guards are rarely in the dungeon itself unless they’re feeding the prisoners or bringing in someone new. There are always two guards posted on the dungeon door, which, until now—” he smirked at me “—has been more than enough security. The posted guards always have an active combat power.”
I forced my voice to stay steady. “So we just have to find a way to get all the prisoners past those guards.”
Vicer’s gaze turned distant. “According to numerous sources, there’s a tunnel leading into the castle, and the entrance is somewhere in the dungeon. If we can find the entrance and the tunnel is still clear, we can use it.”
My mouth dropped open. “A tunnel? Why would Sabium leave such a vulnerability?”
“One of his ancestors built it a couple of centuries ago, and it hasn’t been used since. Sabium prefers to have his corrupt marched through the city on their way to their deaths. Likely the only reason the tunnel still exists is because the king keeps his prisoners so weak and docile, even if there were a prison break, there’s no way they would be able to make it to the end of that tunnel before the guards caught them—not unless they were being carried.” Distaste flashed across Vicer’s face. “If you can get into the dungeon, your job will be to find the tunnel and figure out where it ends.”
The tiniest spark of hope ignited in my chest. We could do this.
“I don’t need to remind you to be careful with your words,” Vicer said.
“We will.”
“All messages should be in code. And burned immediately. Make sure you’re not followed back here—”
“Vicer,” Tibris said. “We know. We’d never do anything to risk you or the others. You know that.”
Vicer looked back at him for a long moment. Finally, he nodded.
“Ameri is waiting to take you to the narminoi. Tomorrow, we’ll make sure you’re disguised appropriately, check your papers, and you’ll be in.”
I took a deep breath. “Thank you, Vicer.”
“Thank me when you get out of there. Alive.”
I nodded, walking out and giving Tibris a couple of minutes with his friend.
Ameri leaned against the wall. “I spoke to my contact. We need to go now.”
Tibris stepped through the door. Obviously, he hadn’t known what to say to Vicer. “I’m coming with you.”
We followed Ameri down the stairs. She was a quiet woman, and I’d only been with the rebels for an afternoon, but already I’d noticed her slipping in and out of rooms unnoticed. She just seemed to fade into the background.
“What magic do you have?” I asked when we opened the front door.
She shot me a look. “Guess.”
“Something to do with the way you never seem to be where we’re expecting you to be?” Tibris asked dryly, and she smirked.